Syria puts 2nd round of peace talks on hold

Jan. 31, 2014
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A Syrian demonstrator is wrapped in a Syrian flag carrying the picture of President Assad as they shout pro-government slogans during a demonstration outside the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on Jan. 31, 2014. / Anja Niedringhaus, AP

by Zeina Karam and John Heilprin, Associated Press

by Zeina Karam and John Heilprin, Associated Press

GENEVA (AP) - After more than a week of negotiations aimed at ending its civil war, Syria's government refused Friday to commit to a date for the next round of peace talks and roundly dismissed the opposition's demand to transfer power away from President Bashar Assad.

The standoff over what comes after Assad - and the uncertainty over U.N. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi's proposed Feb. 10 date for a second round of peace talks - underscored the tremendous challenges in finding a way out of Syria's deadly impasse.

The two sides continue to blame each other for the violence in Syria - where a three-year civil war has killed more than 130,000 people and forced millions to flee their homes. They also remain deeply divided over how to end the war and if Syria's future government should include Assad.

A tally by activists estimated Friday that 1,900 people - including at least 430 civilians - were killed in Syria during the peace talks alone.

Brahimi said the opposition has committed to joining a second round of talks in Geneva on Feb. 10.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, however, said before the government decides when to return to Geneva to meet again with the opposition, Assad will hear a report on what took place during the past week in Switzerland. The minister also dismissed the opposition's demand for a new governing body to eventually transfer power from Assad.

Brahimi tried to put a good face Friday on the first direct meetings in three years between the warring parties, suggesting they reconvene for a fresh attempt at bridging the chasm between them.

He told reporters at the end of the eighth consecutive day of intense negotiations that although they produced no tangible results, he found 10 areas of possible "common ground."

"Progress is very slow indeed, but the sides have engaged in an acceptable manner. This is a modest beginning on which we can build," Brahimi told reporters at the U.N.'s Palais des Nations.

"The gaps between the sides remain wide; there is no use pretending otherwise. Nevertheless, during our discussions, I observed a little bit of common ground - perhaps more than the two sides realize or recognize," he said. "Things have gone so far down that they are not going to get out of the ditch overnight."

The weeklong negotiations had been strained over the opposition's demand for - and the government's resistance to - a transfer of power in Syria. They also failed to achieve any concrete results, especially on possible humanitarian aid convoys to besieged parts of Homs.

Opposition chief Ahmad al-Jarba said his side was committed to more talks and insisted the only way to guarantee peace was to set up a transitional ruling council with full executive powers to run the country.

"What we passed through in Geneva was like a political battle in front of representatives of a regime that is an expert of wasting time. The process was not easy and for us it was like drinking poison," he told reporters. "A new Syrian republic is being born in Geneva, even if we did not sign a political agreement."

About 200 pro-government demonstrators gathered Friday outside the U.N. building in Geneva to show support for Assad.

"We are with the peace negotiations. Syria needs peace," said protester Sabah Kasouha, who used to live in Homs. "When all the countries stop funding the rebels who came from many countries to destroy Syria, then we will be fine."

Assad's family, from Syria's Alawite minority, has ruled the country since 1970 as rebellions by Syria's Sunni majority were crushed.

The Syrian uprising began with largely peaceful calls for reform in March 2011 and escalated after a military crackdown. It has since been transformed into a regional proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which support opposing sides. Foreign fighters and Islamic extremists have infiltrated the opposition, triggering infighting that has undermined its rebellion against Assad.

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